Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2005
Meeting No. 6-2005
At Rockville City Hall PRESENT
Anita Neal Powell, Chair
Max van Balgooy
Craig Moloney
Andrea Hartranft (left during meeting) Staff present: Robin Ziek and Shelby Spillers, Preservation Planners. I. WORKSESSION: The worksession involved television-training matters and no decisions were made or discussed at that meeting. The Business meeting was convened at 7:35 P.M. II. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Peerless Rockville – Peerless Rockville Staff – none recorded
B. Lincoln Park Historic Society - Anita Neal Powell – none recorded
C. Comments- Historic District Commissioners – none recorded
III. EVALUATIONS FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULLTURAL SIGNIFICANCE A. Pump House
B. 339 Lincoln Ave
C. Warfield/Robertson Houses
A. Pump House
Planner Robin Ziek recommended the designation of the Pump House as a historic single site district. This project was brought to Ms. Ziek’s attention by a request from Suzanne Fisher of Peerless Rockville. Planner Ziek nominated this site based on three criteria: the architecture of the building, the role it played in the city’s interests in water, and its part in the typhoid epidemic in the late 19th century. She presented the location of the Pump House, as well as the building’s physical characteristics. The building is one-story, clad with stucco and has replacement windows. It has a distinct pyramidal roof and cupola. The Pump House also has unique architectural features in the stone lintel, cornice, and chimney. Planner Ziek presented the history of the building and described its various name and layout changes. She presented Sanborn Maps to show how the building grew over time with additions. She also placed the building in the context of Rockville’s history, stating that it falls under the time period of Rockville Maturation, in which the city began a sewer treatment system. This Rockville Maturation time period is documented in the Historic Resources Management Plan of Rockville. Commissioner Craig Moloney questioned the building’s modifications over time and Planner Ziek responded that the building has been altered. Specifically, the windows have been enclosed and the staircase has been removed. The original building has also undergone several additions and a minor fire. Commissioner Max van Balgooy asked Planner Ziek to describe the three phases of development of the building, as well as an end period of significance for the structure. Planner Ziek stated that she needed to determine a more specific period of significance. There was a general discussion between the commission members and historic preservation staff on what the building’s most specific time period should be. Suzanne Fisher from Peerless Rockville spoke to show Peerless Rockville’s support of the nomination. Phyllis Marcuccio, (406 S. Horners Lane) a resident of Rockville and neighbor to the Pump House since 1942, spoke next. She is a member of the East Rockville Civic Association and supported the nomination of the Pump House. She discussed the changes she has seen the Pump House undergo, such as the stucco siding over the original brick and the replacement windows. She also expressed her interest in identifying the stream that runs nears the Pump House because she feels that it is important to the overall context of the Pump House. Linda Ekizian, (304 S. Horners Lane) the current president of the East Rockville Civic Association spoke regarding her support of the designation of the Pump House. She explained the typhoid epidemic in Rockville as very significant because it spurred a national interest in disease control. She notes that this epidemic was very significant to Rockville because it changed their method of sewer management and gave further understanding of what causes disease. Ruth Hanessian (303 Highland Ave), another neighbor of the Pump House, spoke for her support of the designation. She also spoke of the need to protect the neighboring parkland. Commissioner Craig Moloney asked Planner Ziek if she had any further photos or documentation of the building. Eileen McGuckian from Peerless Rockville stated that Peerless Rockville possibly had some more pictures. Commissioner Max van Balgooy asked whether the Pump House could be designated under the theme of hygiene and health for its significance. Planner Ziek and staff replied that the building was already under the theme of medicine and that health and hygiene would fall under this category. Chairwoman Anita Neal Powell moved to evaluate the Pump House for historic district significance. Chairwoman Powell read through the criteria to nominate a historic district and the commission decided that the house would be nominated for local and national significance. MOTION:
Commissioner van Balgooy moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to designate the Pump House as a local historic district in Rockville to the Mayor and Council for the following reasons:
1. It has minor alterations in building and site;
2. It has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City and County;
VOTE: 4-0 B. 339 Lincoln Avenue
Planner Robin Ziek stated that this evaluation was initiated by an application for demolition of the house at 339 Lincoln Avenue by the current owner, Ludbin Alba. All structures that are 50 years of age or older must be evaluated for significance and processed for historic district designation, if eligible, before demolition can be approved. Ms. Ziek described the location and history of the parcel. She showed pictures of the house and described it as a two-story, vernacular structure with mostly substituted materials. The house was originally one-story and the doors, windows, and porch columns are replacement. The house has changed significantly since it was built but retains some of its original walls. The house has been rented out for the past 60 years and it is located in the Lincoln Park subdivision. The house was originally owned by Raymond and Irene Smith, who owned several properties in Lincoln Park. They lived in 337 Lincoln Avenue. Although they were very active in Lincoln Park, 339 Lincoln Avenue was one of many houses they owned and they never lived in that particular house. Ms. Ziek did not recommended the property as a historic site because she stated it lacks integrity has changed significantly over time. As a single site, or landmark, it does not rise to individual significance because it has been altered and the original one-story structure is subsumed. Commissioner Max van Balgooy questioned when the house was built and if the Smith family were the first owners. Ms. Ziek answered that based on deed research, the house was originally built between 1922 and 1929 and sold to William Smith. Ms. Ziek also raised the issue that Mr. Raymond Smith was known as an excellent landlord in Lincoln Park and rented 339 Lincoln Avenue to one tenant, Mrs. Luckett, for an extended period of time. Commissioner Max van Balgooy asked for a description of the development of Lincoln Park. Planner Shelby Spillers described that there was no uniform method of development for that community. Beth Rodgers (117 Evan Street) spoke and felt that the commission and the public needed more information about the families that lived in the house in order to determine whether the house is significant. The owner, Maria Alba, spoke about the condition of the house and their plans for demolition so they can live in the house. She stressed that the house is very unsafe, especially for children. Chairwoman Anita Neal Powell began to evaluate 339 Lincoln Avenue for historic significance. Under the architecture criteria, the commissioners discussed whether the house is unique to Lincoln Park because it is a two-story structure and is at the entrance to the community. Commissioner Powell and Planner Spillers believed that it is a distinctive house in the community and also that it is along an established visual feature in the neighborhood, the segregation line. The commission determines that the house has been “substantially altered” under the integrity criteria. The owner, Maria Alba, spoke again about the condition of the stairs on the interior of the house and appealed to the Commission to recognize that no one could live in this house right now. The Commission agreed that if this house was built as a one-story house, it might not be structurally sound to accommodate two stories. Commissioner Moloney stated that he is not willing to make a decision on the issue at this time. Commissioner Powell asked the planners if they could find out more information about the renters of the house before the Commission makes a decision. The Commission decided to hold this over until the July meeting pending additional information. C. Robertson-Warfield Historic District
Planner Spillers presented the proposal for the Warfield-Robertson historic district that included the following properties: 101,103,105, and 107 Fleet Street, 150 Maryland Avenue, and 209, 211, 213, and 215 Monroe Street. 107 Fleet Street was recommended to be a landmark, and 209 Monroe Street was recommended to be a non-contributing house. Spillers used pictures and maps to support the case for the designation of the district, as they were all originally platted for the Rockville Heights Community in the early twentieth century. The houses represent the early development patterns for the City of Rockville. As such, the properties have the same setbacks, lot size and residential appearance. Two developments occurred in this location. Robert Warfield, who was Rockville’s first dentist, purchased 101,103, and 105 Fleet Street and 150 Maryland Avenue. He then developed the lots and sold them to prominent Rockville families. 107 Fleet Street was purchased by Clifford Robertson, a local attorney. This house is especially significant because it was designed and built by local architect, Thomas Groomes. The Monroe Street lots were developed by Malcolm Stuart McConihe. The houses located at 211, 213, and 215 were built by the 1930s according to deed research. The house at 209 Monroe Street was built in the early 1950s, and thus should be considered a non-contributing structure. Planner Spillers recommended that the district is eligible for designation under National Register Criteria A and B, for architecture and local historic significance. She supported Criteria A with the Fleet Street properties as well as 150 Maryland Avenue, as they represent good examples of early twentieth century, high-style architecture. This is especially evident with Groomes’ high style Georgian architecture of the 1904 house at 107 Fleet Street. The Robertson family occupied the home for 65 years until its adaptation by the Montgomery County government for use as a medical clinic and office. Representing the Executive Branch of the County Government, Lisa Rother offered her comments in opposition to the district both on paper and orally. She explains that the lots can provide a gateway to Town Center. She also proposed that the sites be used for mixed-income housing in the future. The County believes that this can be an economical asset as the County is looking to develop the land with a private/public partnership. She stated that the houses may be old, but do not adhere to Criteria A nor B. They lose integrity, as the sites do not represent a concise history. Rockville Heights never materialized and thus the houses do not represent a development pattern that was actually achieved. Sandra Robertson-Costrage, (221 South Washington), grand-niece of Mr. Robertson, offered testimony in favor of the district. She noted that she felt that she was denied the proper notice, as she did not receive a postcard. Planner Art Chambers explained that she was given more than enough notice via the Internet and the sign that was placed on the properties and that the City is not obligated to send postcards. Ms. Rother stated that none of the Fleet Street properties, or the Monroe Street Properties was listed in an edition of Rockville’s Catalogue of Historic sites. Commissioner Balgooy inquired about the purpose of the list. Eileen McGuckian, of Peerless Rockville, explained that although the houses were not listed in the Catalogue, it was never meant to be an all-inclusive list. Furthermore, it was meant to be an inventory of homes that have historic integrity. The Commissioners decided to redraw the staff suggested boundaries around the proposed district. The newly proposed district will comprise of the Fleet Street and Maryland Avenue properties. The Monroe Street properties will be evaluated at a later date as another proposal for designation. After going through the Criteria of Eligibility Form, the commissioners decided that it demonstrates the work of a master, that it represents distinction, and that it has visual features that warrant designation. Furthermore they determined that the district has cultural significance to the local history of Rockville, and that it has character defining elements. All of the Fleet Street properties are eligible for designation due to their architectural significance. MOTION:
Commissioner Balgooy moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney to find that the Fleet Street properties and 150 Maryland Avenue meet the criteria of eligibility for City of Rockville District Designation and should be recommended to the Mayor and Council as meeting the criteria for designation as a historic district under the following criteria:
VOTE: 3-0 IV. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL A. HDC2005-00333 Applicant: Pumphrey Funeral Home
Address: 300 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Replace non-original windows at rear
Applicant sought approval to replace the rear windows with double-hung replacement windows that would be compatible with original windows. Applicant John Chaplin explained that the funeral home needed replacement windows because the current windows did not function properly and would let rain in. MOTION:
Commissioner Moloney made a motion to approve the application to replace the windows. Commissioner Balgooy seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0 B. HDC2005-00331 (Continued) Applicant: Rockville Cemetery Association
Address: 1350 Baltimore Road
Request: Free standing sign (Rockville Cemetery)
In a continued application, the Rockville Cemetery Association sought approval for a sign for the cemetery. Beth Rodgers represented the Rockville Cemetery Association and presented the amended sign. MOTION:
Commissioner Balgooy made a motion to approve the amended sign. Chairwoman Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0 V. DISCUSSION / UPDATES A. Planning Activities and Projects: 1. Lincoln Park Preservation report – Shelby Spillers
The Chairman of Lincoln Park Community Committee and the President and ex-President of the nominating organization, the Lincoln Park Civic Association, met with the Director of Community Planning And Development Services Art Chambers and staff to discuss the scheduling and final form of the plan developed by the Committee. The Director stated that the current draft of the plan and guidelines reads as if it were a historic district, rather than a conservation district, which is what the Committee wants. The Committee representatives affirmed that the intention is to preserve the community character, but do not want additional regulation of materials and design. They want to protect the tree canopy, the set backs, and the original massing and scale of the houses. Staff needs to edit the draft of the plan to make it more consistent with language for a conservation district. B. Commission Business 1. Annual recommendation of candidate for HDC Chair
Due to the late hour, the decision was held over for the next meeting to be held in July. Additionally it was felt that Commissioner Hartranft should be present for such a decision. 2. Meeting helps and operational changes: consent agenda.
The HDC requested that the Criteria of Eligibility Form used to consider designation be redesigned. The form is confusing about what is inclusive and exclusive. The form is also too long to read at the meeting. The HDC has suggested that a concise, bulleted list replace the existing form. Additionally, staff should submit their recommendations with reasons for why or why not the property(s) qualifies for each criterion. This will possibly speed up the process for recommending designation. VI. MINUTES Due to the late hour, consideration of the minutes was held over for the next meeting to be held in July. VII. ADJOURN: The HDC adjourned at 12:00am.
Respectfully submitted, Katie McQueen and Emily Brandon, Planning interns. | 
